PHILELEFTHEROS “The people now have the say” The UN Secretary-general yesterday handed in his final version of the plan to go to separate referenda on April 24. However, no deals were made despite American intervention. The people now have the say, according to Kofi Annan. The Greek Cypriot side is not happy with the new plan and the president’s first reaction, according to the spokesman was that the changes are not satisfactory for the Greek Cypriots. Erdogan, however, said Turkey was more than happy with the plan.
POLITIS “Kofi Annan: This solution or no other” The compromise for a viable solution to the Cyprus Problem was not reached in Switzerland. In a dramatic effort, Annan called on all sides to take this opportunity to embrace the final plan going to referendum on April 24. He also said it was important that the mistakes of the past were not repeated. He added that concerted efforts had been made to satisfy both sides. AKEL and DISY refused to comment as yet on the plan. The Government spokesman said the president would lay out his cards to the people upon his return to Cyprus yesterday.
HARAVGHI “Referendum on April 24” UN Secretary-general Kofi Annan late last night discussed the final plan with both sides, which, based on the New York agreement, will be put to referendum on April 24. The plan is the fifth version of the original proposal for a solution and was given to the four sides. Annan said this plan was “the best and most viable possible solution to the Cyprus problem.” Defending his plan, Annan said it was designed to work for both sides and for a common future and outlined that in the end it did not matter what he believed but how the people felt. He called on the leaders not to make the mistake of letting history repeat itself.
ALITHIA “Denktash insists on voting no for the plan” If Turkish demands are not met “then everything will end” said Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, adding that improvements have not been made regarding derogations from European law. Denktash said no changes had been made to the negative articles of the plan regarding the Turkish side. He said that if the plan goes to referendum as it stands he would have no choice but to begin a campaign against the plan.
MACHI “Family’s dream becomes nightmare” At 11am yesterday five-year-old Marios Zacharizante from Iran died at the Makarios Hospital from the extensive burns he suffered in a house fire in Ayios Dhometios. The boy caught fire at 4pm when the washing machine short-circuited. He was home alone at the time while his parents were working at a nearby supermarket. The mother said the Labour office had ignored her pleas to be placed on a morning shift so she could take care of her children in the afternoon. The family had come to Cyprus for a better life three years ago.
SIMERINI “Denktash calls Verheugen a Nazi” Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash compared European Commissioner Gunter Verheugen to a Nazi officer because “he does not act politely and his manner does not comply with democracy.” Denktash said Verheugen’s behaviour in Burgenstock was shocking. “He acted as though he wanted to threaten the Turkish side,” said Denktash. He added that he heard Verheugen gave some promises that he had not upheld.
